Mental Health: What We Need to Know to Fight the Stigma | Mental Health Awareness Month

Millions of people are living with a mental illness in the US. According to NAMI— the National Alliance on Mental Illness, 19.1% of adults experience some sort of mental illness, and 4.6% of adults experience serious mental illness. Although these numbers demonstrate how common this condition is, the stigma around mental illness keeps people from seeking help and from talking about it. Although there is more access to this information today, only 40% of adults with a mental condition receive treatment. 

The same research demonstrates that 50% of all lifetime mental illness begins by the age of 14 and 75% by the age of 24, what demystifies the stigma about mental illness being linked only to the elderly. The studies also show that 16.5% of children from ages 6-17 experience a mental disorder. Although these numbers exemplify how common mental illness is, the presented data is not enough to defeat stigma. Many people are ashamed of talking about their condition. In a society where performance is everything, mental health is easily left dismissed and underestimated.  

Mental illnesses can lead to suicide attempts and disability. One hundred people commit suicide everyday in the United States, which brings up how urgent it is to seriously address mental illness. According to CDC— the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, suicide is the tenth leading cause of death in the US. When we calculate the range from ages 10 and 34, suicide become the second leading cause of death in the country. 

Amongst the prevailing conditions to mental health issues, anxiety disorders are responsible for 19.1% of people who experience mental illness; and major depressive episodes represent 7.2% of the cases. Depression and anxiety are indicators coming from a major problem: the way we operate in society post social media era. The amount of information we deal with on a daily basis is beyond what our brain is capable of absorbing; lifestyle dictatorships reshaped the way we engage in our personal and professional lives; and the worldwide internet connection made us isolate ourselves more and more. To name a few reasons why depression and anxiety are the most common mental disorders in the current times. 

Earlier in the 50's, only serious mental conditions would be considered or treated as mental illness. Other issues such as depression used to be commonly perceived as only sadness. Only a few decades ago, we started to classify in a broader range of mental disorders and finally started to treat them. However, considering that only half of the population are receiving treatment, it is still important to raise awareness around this topic as an effort to normalize mental disorders so everybody can seek help.  

In 2015, NCBI— the National Center of Biotechnology Information, published a survey showing that only 7% of people from developed countries, who responded to the inquiry, believed that mental illness could be overcome. The doubtfulness and misinformation about mental illness not only reinforce the stigma but also create an unsettling environment that makes the conversation about the issue very difficult. People fear losing their jobs and being marginalized by society. 

Fortunately, departments like SAMHSA— the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration and NIMH— the National Institute of Mental Health bring important information to the public about mental health conditions, channels to talk to and where to find help. If you are facing a mental illness or know someone who is, these links below will provide answers to standard questions and guidance to seek help and to provide help for those in need. 

EmpowHer NY believes in the power of communication and in a society where each individual deserves to be heard and assisted in their matters. We understand the responsibility to mention these important channels that positively address mental health issues in this country. Especially during these troubled times given the pandemic of Coronavirus. We stand together now so we all overcome the challenges around mental health and its consequences. By choosing empowerment over shame and compassion over prejudice, we create the space to openly talk about mental health.

Sources:

https://www.nami.org/Home

https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline

https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/index.shtml

Suicide Prevention Hotline: 1-800-273-8255

Wendia Machado

Wendia Machado is a Brazilian writer who currently lives in Brooklyn, NY. Born and raised in Aracaju, Brazil, the dream of achieving a successful career as a writer in the Big Apple presented itself when she was only seven. Nowadays, Wendia is a freelance columnist in NYC working on two projects: a first play O Sentido that will come out in 2020, and her first novel.

Instagram: @WendiaMachado

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